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1917 Fore Street Ipswich Nos. 73 & 75 Small Business Premises sale Particulars
Description
An original 1917 sale particulars and conditions of sale document for two small freehold business premises located at Nos. 73 & 75, Fore Street, Ipswich. Situated opposite Salthouse Street, these brick-built properties were sold by direction of the Executor of the late Mrs. Martha Pipe on Wednesday, May 23rd, 1917, at the Great White Horse Hotel, Ipswich. This single document is shown both folded as a cover and fully opened to reveal the property specifications.
The particulars provide a detailed breakdown of the occupants and layout:
No. 73 Fore Street: Comprised a ground floor shop with a plate-glass front, a living room, a basement cellar, and three bedrooms on the upper floor. It was let to Mr. Harry Hodgson, Gunsmith, at a rent of £15 per annum.
No. 75 Fore Street: Featured a ground floor shop with a plate-glass front and recessed door, a kitchen with copper, and two bedrooms on the upper floor. It was let to Mr. Charles F. Bennett, Tobacconist, at £3 15s. 0d. per quarter.
Site Details: The properties shared a rear yard with a W.C. and tap, and possessed a total street frontage of approximately 25 feet.
Legal Representation: The sale was handled by solicitors Block & Cullingham of Arcade Street, Ipswich.
Background Information
Fore Street has historically been one of the most significant commercial thoroughfares in Ipswich, linking the town center to the wet dock and quayside. In 1917, the street was a bustling hub of independent tradesmen, as evidenced by the presence of a gunsmith and a tobacconist in these specific lots. The Great White Horse Hotel, where the sale was conducted, is a landmark Grade II* listed building famous for hosting Charles Dickens, who used the inn as a setting for a humorous chapter in The Pickwick Papers. The solicitors, Block & Cullingham, were a fixture of the Ipswich legal community from their founding in 1890 until their merger with Ellisons Solicitors in 2020. These particulars offer a rare snapshot of the local economy and urban fabric of Ipswich during the latter stages of the First World War.
Condition Report
The document is in good historical condition with clear, bold typography that remains easily legible. It shows a horizontal fold line across the center where it was previously stored folded. The paper has a natural light age-toning consistent with its 100-plus-year age, and there is very minor creasing at the corners. The internal pages are clean and free from modern writing or significant staining. See Photos for Condition.
Shipping Information
Carefully packaged in a protective sleeve to ensure safe delivery. Shipped securely in a rigid mailer to prevent bending or damage during transit.
This description has been prepared with the assistance of AI. Please rely on the photos to judge condition and details before offerding, as errors can occur. I’m happy to answer any questions if needed.